At just 17, Jonathan Thai is not only gearing up for the World Triathlon Winter Championships in Italy but is also making a significant impact closer to home. On the Big Creek Greenway, where he first discovered the joy of cycling, Thai is changing lives through the Pedal Forward Foundation—a nonprofit he founded to teach kids how to ride bikes.

While many teenagers focus on personal milestones, Thai saw a gap in his community when REI discontinued their bike training programs. This left many underserved kids without access to learning this essential life skill. What began as a personal passion project has now mobilized 260 volunteers, impacted over 200 children, and expanded from Georgia to New York and Tennessee. Thai's journey is a testament to the power of purpose, privilege, and giving back.

Discovering the Freedom of Cycling

"I'm very privileged to have all these experiences and be able to do the things that I can do, like be a triathlete," Thai reflects. "I recognize that there are people in my community, like how my parents grew up, that didn't have access to all of those resources."

This realization hit home when Thai learned about his mother's childhood. She received a bike from her father, found on the roadside, which broke after a day. Her family couldn't afford a replacement, and she missed out on the independence and joy cycling brings.

Thai's childhood was filled with memories of riding with his dad on the Big Creek Greenway, a freedom that led him to competitive triathlon. As a freshman at Milton High School, he volunteered with iCan Bike, helping neurodivergent children learn to ride, and with Meals by Grace, a local food pantry.

When REI stopped their bike training classes, Thai understood the broader implications: cycling is more than recreation—it's transportation, independence, and joy. "Biking is a really sustainable form of transportation for the whole community," Thai explains. "I realized that I could use my resources to help … not just all people, but the underserved community in specific."

Building the Pedal Forward Foundation

In January 2025, Thai launched the Pedal Forward Foundation to provide free bike lessons and equipment to underserved kids. However, turning this vision into a functioning nonprofit wasn't without challenges.

The first hurdle was finding legal help. With no initial funding, Thai needed pro bono assistance to navigate nonprofit regulations, especially as a minor. He eventually found an attorney willing to help establish the foundation's legal status at no cost.

Insurance was another challenge. Initially, certified instructors from the League of American Bicyclists led the camps, providing coverage. But Thai knew this wasn't sustainable. "I knew I couldn't depend on them for eternity, so I became a league cycling instructor myself to get the insurance," he says. By July, Thai was a certified cycling instructor, ensuring his camps could continue with proper coverage.

Initially, Thai's triathlon teammates volunteered, but as their schedules intensified, he needed a sustainable approach. He turned to organizations he was already connected with, starting with the Young Men's Service League.

Community Mobilization and Rapid Growth

"I was kind of amazed how fast it took off and how the community came together to help this idea that I had and make it a reality," Thai reflects on the community's support.

Strategic partnerships became the foundation's backbone. Through the Young Men's Service League, Thai connected with chapters in Alpharetta, Milton, and North Fulton, allowing members to complete service hours while supporting Pedal Forward's mission. This solved the need for maintaining a one-to-one instructor ratio during camps.

The National Charity League quickly partnered with Pedal Forward to host bike drives, ensuring every participant had access to a bike and helmet. For young athletes looking to upgrade their equipment, quality options like the Mobula Urban Bike with Shimano 21-speed provide reliable performance for both training and transportation.

Bike Alpharetta added another crucial element—equipment refurbishment. After camps, Pedal Forward worked with Bike Alpharetta to clean, repair, and donate 277 bikes and over 300 helmets to North Fulton Community Charities for their annual Toyland event.

These partnerships show how shared values can amplify individual efforts, creating a network of support that extends beyond what any single organization could achieve alone.

Measuring Success and Expanding Reach

In just one year, Pedal Forward has:

• Mobilized 260 volunteers across multiple organizations and age groups
• Impacted over 200 children through direct bike instruction
• Raised over $25,000 through creative fundraising initiatives
• Donated 277 bikes and 300+ helmets to community organizations
• Expanded to three states with chapters in New York and Tennessee

"Teaching them how to ride and seeing the joy that they get from it is just amazing for both the kids and the volunteers," Thai observes.

Pedal Forward's fundraising creativity has been impressive, including hosting a movie premiere for donations and selling branded merchandise. These efforts show how young entrepreneurs can think beyond traditional fundraising methods to engage their communities.

The foundation's model has proven scalable. Two of Thai's triathlon teammates started chapters in New York and Tennessee, with the New York chapter set to offer its first camp this spring. The Tennessee chapter has already begun weekly camps in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Scaling the Vision Beyond North Fulton

Pedal Forward's impact extends beyond direct instruction to broader community initiatives promoting cycling safety and transportation equity. Thai has strategically partnered with government programs and schools to maximize reach and effectiveness.

Last fall, Pedal Forward hosted a camp leading up to the Georgia Department of Transportation's Safe Routes to School initiative, connecting bike education to infrastructure improvements designed to make cycling safer for children.

In October, Thai partnered with the City of Roswell to host a camp during Hispanic Heritage Month, providing Spanish translations for families to ensure language barriers didn't prevent participation.

The foundation's influence reached South Atlanta when Thai helped an elementary school organize a bikeathon fundraiser, showing how the model can adapt for different communities and purposes. This work will be recognized in February when Thai receives a proclamation from Fulton County acknowledging his contributions.

Pedal Forward Georgia operates from Union Hill Pavilion in Alpharetta, where three-hour camps help children progress from basic balance to confidently riding down the Big Creek Greenway—the same path where Thai first discovered his love of cycling.

"Going from not being able to ride at all to riding on the Greenway was kind of a big moment for them and for me," Thai shares. "Riding on the Greenway was one of the biggest parts of my childhood … I wanted to give that to them too."

Lessons in Leadership and Service

Thai's transformation from privileged triathlete to community changemaker offers valuable insights for anyone looking to create meaningful impact. His story demonstrates how recognizing privilege can become a catalyst for service rather than a source of guilt, much like the transformative power of endurance sports in people's lives.

"Some of these kids want to do all this stuff, but don't have access to do it," Thai observes. "So, to be able to provide this service to them has been great."

The foundation's success illustrates several key principles:

• Start with what you know: Thai leveraged his cycling expertise and triathlon connections
• Build strategic partnerships: Rather than working alone, he connected with existing organizations
• Address real gaps: The discontinued REI program created a clear need in the community
• Maintain high standards: The one-to-one instructor ratio ensures quality and safety
• Think beyond immediate impact: Equipment donations and partnerships amplify the foundation's reach

Looking Forward: Sustainable Growth and Continued Impact

As Pedal Forward prepares for its second year, the foundation has established systems for sustainable growth. The first camp of 2026 is scheduled for March 7 from 2-5 p.m., with every child who registers without a bike or helmet receiving equipment through the foundation's donation programs.

The three-state presence positions Pedal Forward for potential national expansion, while partnerships with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of America provide models for systematic scaling. Thai's upcoming recognition from Fulton County may open doors to additional government partnerships and funding opportunities.

For Thai personally, the experience has been transformative. Starting something aligned with his passions while positively impacting young people has changed his perspective on leadership and service. The joy he sees on children's faces as they experience the freedom of cycling connects directly to his own childhood memories and competitive experiences.

How to Support the Movement

The Pedal Forward Foundation continues accepting volunteers, donations, and registrations for upcoming camps. Those interested in starting chapters in their own communities can find resources and guidance through the foundation's established network.

For readers inspired by Thai's story, the foundation offers multiple ways to get involved:

• Volunteer at local camps to maintain the crucial one-to-one instructor ratio
• Donate bikes and helmets to ensure every child has access to proper equipment
• Support fundraising events that keep programs free for participants
• Spread awareness about the importance of bike education in underserved communities

Thai's journey from recognizing his privilege to building a movement demonstrates that meaningful change starts with individual action but grows through community collaboration. His story reminds us that age is no barrier to leadership and that sometimes the most powerful solutions come from the simplest recognition: every child deserves the freedom that comes with riding a bike.

To learn more about upcoming camps, volunteer opportunities, or starting a chapter in your community, visit pedalforward.net or email info@pedalforward.net.